3.6.6 Volume Expanders |
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Read through these techniques. Then have a look at the map at the foot of the page and see how they fit into the context of blood conservation.
Intravenous fluid solutions that are used to increase the volume of fluid in the circulating blood. The result is that when a patient bleeds during surgery, the diluted blood contains a lower concentration of red blood cells. They do not carry oxygen, but they do enable the heart and circulatory system to carry red blood cells around the body.
Crystalloids
Crystalloid solutions are solutions of water containing salts (electrolytes) and/or sugars. They provide immediate temporary volume expansion.
· Ringer's solution
A sterile solution of calcium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, and sodium lactate in water for injection, given as a fluid and electrolyte replenisher by intravenous infusion.
· Normal saline
A solution of sodium chloride and distilled water. A 0.9% solution is isotonic to the body (i.e the same tension or tone).
· Hypertonic saline
Hypertonic saline is salt water containing salt at a concentration many times higher than normal.
Colloids
Colloids contain proteins, starch or gelatin. They can increase fluid volume in the vascular system.
· Pentastarch
e.g Pentaspan
· Hetastarch
See Healthopedia.com
· Gelatin
A derived protein.
· Dextran
A bioploymer formed from enzyme technology.
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